Hidden Gems: Meet Jessica Gould of Taste Cherie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Gould.

Hi Jessica, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I co-founded my company, Taste Cherie, in 2021 along with my sister. We make lactation cookie mixes that allow our customers to make warm and fresh lactation treats in the comfort of their own home. Unlike other products for lactation support, our cookie mixes are developed by a doctor, certified organic, customizable for vegan diets, comforting and absolutely delicious.
Creating a healthy product to support breastfeeding mothers has been a labor of love and one borne out of my own needs. As a physician, I knew the benefits of breastfeeding and it was one of my goals for when I had children. However it was not until I actually became a mother that I realized the many challenges that accompany breastfeeding. Suddenly, I had to learn about different techniques, timing of feeds, optimal storage and how to best nourish myself. A lot of these hurdles are typical of the learning curve as a new mother. But what I was not prepared for was the decrease in my milk supply when I returned to full time work as a hospital medicine physician. Not long after my return, the Covid pandemic arrived in the US, and ultimately hit Los Angeles hard. Though I am used to being a frontline physician, in that initial surge, every workflow I had was turned on its head. My milk supply tanked and I fought to keep it up as it seemed to me the only real immune protection I had to offer my infant son.
To help boost my supply I delved into all the advice and scientific articles I could find. I pumped as often as I could, hydrated and ate a balanced diet. I studied various galactagogues, or milk-stimulating supplements, ranging from medications to more natural options like oats, brewer’s yeast and flaxseeds. I found the most popular way to consume galactagogues was in the form of cookies, and I sought a convenient and tasty option. I must have tried 10 different brands of cookies, but most were dry, brittle and tasteless. I could not find any organic options, nor any backed by a trusted source. I knew that I could do better and provide other mothers with a better option as well. I took the idea to my sister, who shares my penchant for quality and taste, but who could complement my scientific background with one in design and communications. We worked closely with a female chef who helped develop a delicious lactation cookie, obtained organic certification, found a co-packer to produce our mixes and designed the packaging and labels. We now sell our product online and in a handful of brick and mortar stores.
As a physician, I have always been deeply driven by altruism and the desire to help others thrive. And as a mother who faced feelings of isolation and frustration, and who struggled with breastfeeding like so many others, I am motivated to support other moms in ways that I could have used. I am committed to developing responsible products that I sincerely hope will allow mothers to achieve their personal breastfeeding goals. Additionally, I hope that by creating a community and sharing evidence-based facts that we can contribute to the well-being, knowledge and empowerment of breastfeeding moms

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Owning a company has been a labor of love, especially when I continue to work full time as a physician and count being a mother as my second full-time job. But having dedicated most of my life to the sciences, I have no formal training in the food industry or in business. As such, there has been a huge learning curve with every step, from the lingo used when sourcing ingredients from suppliers, to the rigid requirements for Organic certification, to the marketing and selling of our cookie mixes. In addition, similar to other companies, we were challenged by ever changing availability and costs of some goods as our suppliers suffered set backs initially from Covid and later from tariffs.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Taste Cherie?
Taste Cherie is a female- and family-run company that makes Organic lactation cookie mixes and seeks to support mothers on their breastfeeding journey. The company was founded by a physician and mother of two who struggled to maintain milk supply while pumping and breastfeeding. She sought a healthier, higher quality lactation cookie and put rigorous work into developing a quality and effective product.

Taste Cherie cookie mixes break away from more commercially available cookies in that they are freshly-baked at home, certified Organic, preservative free, vegan-friendly and truly delicious. In addition, though formulated to support the breastfeeding mother, the galactagogues within are nutrient-rich and safe for the whole family to consume, hence a fun treat to make with family (or older siblings) and readily shareable . Our cookies also stand out for their packaging, making them a beautiful gift to any nursing mother.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned as a new business owner is to give myself grace. It’s the same lesson I’ve carried with me as a mother and as a physician: We are only in control of so much. No matter who carefully we plan, or how strong our intentions, some things will inevitably fall outside our control. Those moments call for flexibility, patience, and poise- but most of all, they require extending grace to ourselves. It’s that self-compassion that allows us to keep moving forward, learn from the process, and show up fully in every role.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tastecherie.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tastecherie